A/N- I have read 'The Order of the Phoenix' and I realise that it almost completely stuffs up my story. But I have decided that I will continue my story as if I never read it. I hope that's ok with you guys. So just ignore anything you have read in the 5th book, just to keep it simple. Thanks.
This is a nice long chapter, so read up and give me a nice long review in return…
Chapter ten- Christmas break
Hermione awoke with a splitting headache and frozen limbs. She raised her head slowly and looked around. She had fallen asleep on the balcony of the Astronomy Tower. The sun had risen a few hours previously by the look of its location in the pale sky.
Hermione got to her feet and traipsed back in to the castle, limping slightly because her feet were numb. She had a long hot shower and got dressed in her warmest clothes. She made her way down to breakfast, and sat by herself as she was very late and barley anyone was still there.
Hermione had nearly finished eating her pancakes when she felt someone place their hand on her shoulder. She jumped and practically emptied her cup of pumpkin juice all over her plate. She spun around expecting to see Harry or Ron, but instead caught sight of a flash of blonde hair as Draco leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"Meet me in the charms corridor after lunch."
Before she could answer him, he turned and quickly walked out of the Great Hall. Hermione looked up still confused, to see Dumbledore smiling slightly at her. She furrowed her brow, remembering what Harry had said about Dumbledore watching her frequently. He winked at her then went back to eating his breakfast.
That left her even more confused then Draco had. Hermione had had reason before to believe that Dumbledore knew of the Prophecy, and this made her even more suspicious. Surely he wouldn't wink at her just because he suspected inter-house relations between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin. So Hermione keyed it in to her memory that if she ever had a major problem with the Prophecy, to run it by Dumbledore, because he would surely know a solution to it.
Hermione sighed at her soggy pancakes covered in pumpkin juice, and pushed them away. She didn't really want more anyway. She decided to finish packing for her trip home tomorrow, as the train was leaving very early in the morning.
When she walked through the Common Room to get to her dorm, she noticed Harry and Ron look up as she passed their table. "Morning guys." She smiled.
"Hi."
"Hello."
She noticed their falsely polite expressions and kept walking instead of stopping to chat. Once in the safety of her room she allowed her neutral expression to falter and be replaced with worry. What if Ginny had decided to tell Ron and Harry about her being with Draco? They would never talk to her unless she had a good reason for being with him-which she did, but she could hardly tell them about it.
She dismissed the idea of Ginny telling. They wouldn't even have greeted her this morning if Ginny had told them. Plus, Ginny would keep her word-Hermione was sure of that.
She spent her Monday morning packing her bags with things she would need whilst staying at home. Her clothes and a few robes, books and homework, the few presents she had organized for her family and friends for Christmas, and her toiletries.
Hermione dawdled on down to lunch when its time approached. She seated herself next to Lavender because her other friends weren't there yet, and even if they were, they probably wouldn't appreciate her presence.
"Have you been alright recently Hermione?" Lavender asked. "You've seemed a bit distracted."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried about the end of year NEWT's already, that's all." Hermione lied sweetly.
"Oh, right. Me too." Lavender said, detecting that Hermione wasn't telling the truth but knew better then to pursue the matter. They ate their lunch while making idle chitchat to pass time. Hermione finished, pushed her plate away and stood up to leave.
"Hermione, if something is wrong, you can tell me." Lavender assured her.
Hermione turned back to her, and plastered on her most convincing smile. "No Lavender, nothings wrong." With that she left the Great Hall, casting an unconscious glance towards the Slytherin table. Draco was watching her with his steely eyes. She suddenly remembered her 'meeting' with him this morning, and his request for her to meet him after lunch.
She looked away and continued out of the Hall, though in a different direction then usual. Hermione climbed a few staircases to get to the Charms corridor, then reached the exposed hallway. Instead of stopping to wait for Draco, she began pacing back and forth in her worry of being seen with him by Ron or Harry, or even worse- Ginny.
"You are way too stressed recently." Hermione heard Draco's voice sound from behind her. She slowly turned to see him leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"No thanks to you." She replied defensively.
His brow crinkled. "What do you mean?"
"Your great, great, great-however many greats- grandpa put me in this whole Prophecy mess, and now I've got no idea what I'm supposed to do."
"My Grandpa? Oh, and old Granger had nothing to do with it, I'm sure…" he replied, raising his eyebrows and stepping closer to where she stood.
Hermione raised her chin. "Whatever…what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
Draco took another step closer, and Hermione was tempted to move backwards but firmly remained where she was. "I'm going back to the Manor for Christmas. I know you wont be happy, but I've decided to tell Lucius about this whole thing." He paused to watch Hermione's curious face change to shock.
"You can't! What if he tells Voldemort? We can't risk that, you know it." She argued.
"I'm going to anyway. I'll keep your name out of it unless he seems to know of the Prophecy. I think that you should talk to someone in your family about it too. If we can both try to get any information we can, than it could help us figure this out."
"Have you forgotten about the journal? We could just read more of it, then you won't have to ask your father." Hermione said hopefully.
"No. I don't think so." Draco disagreed. "We need to know if this journal and Prophecy are even real. If our families know about it, then it must be. But I'm not going to waste my time on something that was bought from a joke store to fool people like us."
Hermione sighed. Draco was right and she knew it. "Fine. Ask him, and I'll check it out with my father too. We'll talk about it when we both get back before the next term commences."
Draco smiled at her. "Have a good Christmas then."
"You too." Hermione smiled back. Feeling their exchange was over, she turned and walked back down the corridor towards the Gryffindor tower.
***
Draco stayed exactly where he was, watching Hermione's retreating back. His expressionless face hid all emotions from showing; something he had learnt to do when he was very young. However, no matter how hard he had tried, he hadn't been able to conceal his strongest emotions from showing in his eyes. As he watched Hermione leave with her cloak fanning slightly behind her, his cool blue eyes shone.
No one would ever have guessed what Draco was thinking, and he realised with a start that even he didn't believe it. All through his schooling years at Hogwarts, Draco had thought of Hermione as a mudblood. Filthy. Dirty. A disgrace to the wizarding world.
Now, he found all those terms to be offensive in relation to Hermione. He didn't love her; that was completely out of the question. He didn't even like her. But he found himself noticing a bond forming between them. He could feel comfortable in her company and not have to put up an act of superiority. Which, he thought dryly to himself, he had tried at first but it failed in the face of Hermione's own strong personality.
Draco shook his head. He wasn't annoyed or angry with himself for finally thinking of Hermione as an equal, just a little bit surprised. No matter how much she might still hate him, Draco would now respect Hermione for who she is.
Not disrespect her for what she never was.
***
Hermione was running through the trees. No…cantering through the trees. Her four legs carried her swiftly, yet her beauty and grace did not fade in her speed. Storm clouds rumbled overhead, and the flashes of lightning illuminated shadows behind the trees. Branches fell from high above and landed with crashes all about her. The original mind took her over for a just enough time to make her rear up in panic.
Hermione's frightened squeal was high pitched and had a slight guttural edge to it. She plunged back through the forest despite what her instincts were telling her, and she shortly heard a weak cry. She put on a spurt of speed and rounded a tree to find a small clearing. On the far edge was a fallen branch. The moan issued forth again and she bolted for it. As the lightning flashed again, Hermione could see a gold coat shimmering from underneath. She immediately lowered her head to lift the branch so it could be released…and then be set free.
Hermione awoke with her hand clamped tightly around her amulet and a queasy feeling in her stomach. She opened her eyes and looked around her dorm. Her bag was packed and sitting at the base of her four-poster. Lethargically, she pulled herself out of bed and splashed her face with cold water to snap herself out of her dream. It had felt so real, so scary and wonderful at the same time…
The carriages that took the students to the Hogwarts Express were set to depart in half an hour's time. Hermione forgot all about her dream as she rushed through a shower and breakfast, then grabbing her bags, ran down to the Entrance Hall to wait for them to arrive.
After a few minutes delay, the carriages pulled up and Hermione loaded her bags on to a seat, and plonked down next to them. Once she was comfortably seated, she looked out the window awaiting the departure of the carriages. She noticed the great doors burst open and Harry, Ron and Ginny emerge with flushed faces and big smiles.
They ran to the carriage next to Hermione's and jumped in moments before it began moving. Hermione had forgotten that the three of them were going back to the Burrow over the holidays. She tried to block out the noises of her friends, but found it extremely difficult to do so. They laughed and talked until they reached the train station.
Hermione got out of the carriage and walked swiftly on to the waiting train. There were a lot of empty compartments, and Hermione managed to score one all for herself. She was quite pleased with it, and she found it to be the perfect environment to begin some of her holiday homework. She lost herself in her Transfiguration essay, and looked up a few hours later to see platform 9 ¾ approaching.
As Hermione wandered along the platform, she spotted her parents waiting by the barrier. A smile appeared on her face as she ran to greet them. "Mum! Dad!"
"Hermione! Come here." Her father said with his arms wide and a big grin on his face. She gave him a hug then her mother a kiss on the cheek.
"How has school been this year?" her mother asked as they made their way to the car park at King's Cross. Hermione thought it would be easier to explain her whole Prophecy dilemma once they were at home.
"Pretty good." She lied easily with a slight smile.
By the time they arrived home, Hermione's stomach was rumbling with hunger. She went up to her room and unpacked her belongings while her mum fixed dinner. Once she was finished unpacking, the smell of her mother's lasagna was wafting through the house.
"Smells great mum." Hermione commented as she walked into the dining room.
"Thanks. It's been a while since you've had a home cooked meal." Her mother answered, removing the lasagna from the oven. "Would you please get your father? I think he's in the study."
"Sure." Hermione walked down the hall to find the study door closed. She knocked and slowly pushed the door open. Her father stood up and rolled up the piece of parchment he had been reading. "Dinner's ready." She told him.
He smiled, pocketed the parchment and followed her out to the kitchen. The three Granger's chatted happily through dinner. When they had finished, Hermione offered to do the dishes; something she had almost forgotten how to do, but her mother insisted that she should relax while she was at home.
"I'll do them. You two go into the lounge and talk. I'm sure you want some time to catch up on things." Her mum said smiling. "You always used to have such long conversations together, ones that I never understood. Now off you go!"
Hermione laughed as she shared a look with her father. They moved to sit in front of the fireplace in the lounge room. They sat in comfortable silence, listening to the crackling of the fire for a few minutes. Hermione realised that now was the perfect time to ask him about the Prophecy, she just wasn't sure how to bring the topic about.
"Dad? I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?" She thought was a good place to start.
"Of course." He answered, changing his position to face her instead of the fire.
"Well," Hermione lowered her voice so her mother couldn't hear. "You told me that you were a squib, right?"
He nodded, slightly embarrassed.
"That means I'm a half-blooded witch. So I must have magical relations leading back in history…um. Hmm…?" Hermione faltered, unsure of what she really wanted to know.
"Hermione, just ask me. What ever it is."
She took a deep breath, arranging the question in her mind. "Do you know much about Esmerelda Granger?"
Her father smiled slightly. "I thought that's what you were wanting to bring up. Yes I do. She was alive over a hundred years ago, and was a very powerful witch."
"Do you know much about her 'relationships' with men?" Hermione asked a question that had been driving her insane since she discovered Derek Malfoy might have once been a possibility.
"I think she married in her middle years of life. She was very dedicated to her work, and didn't concentrate on her own life until her main task was complete." Hermione's dad answered almost cryptically.
"Which main task was that?" Hermione asked, however she was sure she already knew.
"The only reason you're so interested in this is because you've discovered something. Am I right?"
"Yes…" Hermione answered slowly.
"The Prophecy?"
"Uh huh."
"Already?"
"Yep."
"I thought it would be once you were older."
"Obviously not…Can you tell me what you know about it? Please?"
"I don't know much, but I'll tell you what I can." His eyes narrowed in thought. "It concerns you and someone else. You already know who that is?"
"Draco Malfoy." Hermione stated.
"Oh. I suppose if it has to be him…Anyway. You two will find a journal written by Esmerelda Granger and Draco's relative. It'll explain what you must do. In the end, you are to try defeat the most powerful evil- I assume it is He Who Must Not Be Named. I believe that Esmerelda and…?"
"Derek Malfoy." Hermione supplied.
"Ah…and Derek worked on building the Prophecy for 3 years. Derek was the strongest Seer of his time, and Esmerelda had her own tricks up her sleeve too…but I think you'll learn of them shortly. They created many things for you and Mr. Malfoy to undertake, and they were convinced that their method for you to use would rid the world of evil."
Hermione eyes were unfocused and staring into the flames of the fire. "Do you believe in it?"
"Personally? I'm really not sure. But from what my father told me, it is the real thing."
"Your father? What do you mean?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Talk of the Prophecy has been passed down through the line of Granger's since Esmerelda, all the way to you. My father told me about it, as his father told him."
"Oh. So it's not just a trick then? A hoax or joke?"
"I don't believe that it is a joke. I'm sorry. But Hermione…remember that you don't have to act upon it. You can choose to ignore it, then its time will just pass you by, and you know you'll have your life, even if you haven't taken You Know Who's life." Her dad told her hopefully. Hermione could tell that he wanted her to take this option. He didn't want his daughter's life put in danger.
"I'm sorry dad. But if this is real, then I must do it. The only reason I wouldn't do it is if Draco didn't want to. I would respect his decision, and watch our time pass willingly."
Her father smiled sadly, and leaned over to give her a hug. "You're a beautiful young woman Hermione. I think you have the perfect mind for this. Good luck."
"Good luck for what?" Hermione jumped slightly at the sound of her mother's voice.
"The NEWT's I have to complete at the end of the year. I'm already starting to stress about them." She lied quickly, standing up and turning to face her mum. "It has been a long day for me, so I think I'll head off to bed now. I'll see you both in the morning."
"Ok. Sleep well Hermione." Her father said.
"Love you honey." Her mum said happily, giving her a goodnight peck on the cheek.
Hermione went up to her room and lay sprawled out on her bed. She lay awake, still dressed, for hours, thinking about her decision to complete the Prophecy if Draco was also willing. It would change her life, maybe even end it, but if she was destined to do it, then she couldn't let destiny down…
***
Two days later, Christmas had arrived. Hermione awoke to a strange clicking noise. She blinked her eyes open and got curiously out of bed. She realised with a smile that it was coming from the window. She pulled back the blinds and unwound the window to let the snowy white owl in.
"Merry Christmas Hedwig." She said smiling at her.
She chirped and nibbled Hermione's fingers happily. Hermione untied the envelopes and packages from Hedwig's foot and took them back to her bed. She got back under the warm covers and opened the letter in Harry's writing. It read:
'Merry Christmas Hermione,
I hope Hedwig finds you well today with your parents. Find your gift attached, I think you should like it. See you back at school, Harry. P.'
Hermione didn't smile at the letter. Harry was polite, and had said all that was essential. Nothing more. She unwrapped her gift and found it to be a silver necklace. It was thin and sparkled prettily in the light, with a lightning bolt charm on it. 'He's comparing it with my amulet, hoping to outdo the person who gave it to me.' Hermione thought. 'Well, he came very close. It's beautiful.'
She attached it around her neck, and moved on to the package and card in Ron's scrawling handwriting. She unwrapped his gift to find a small book titled 'Transfiguration. How To Avoid Legal Complications.'
She crinkled her brow in confusion. Either Ron hadn't had a clue of what to get her and had grabbed the first book he had come across, or he wasn't happy with her, so he'd gotten her something he knew would prove totally useless. She quickly read Ron's card:
'Hermione,
Merry Christmas. I hope you're well. Sorry about the gift, I don't know why I bought it, but I had a weird feeling you may use it…If you do, I'm very curious as to why. It seems useless. See you after holidays, Ronald.'
Hermione sniffled slightly when she read his name. He hated being called Ronald, and only used it in the most formal of things. He wasn't obviously impressed with Hermione's silence regarding to whom she had been partnering with. Hermione received nothing from Ginny.
Hermione tied the gifts she had prepared earlier for her friends around Hedwig's leg, then stroked her soft plumage as she walked her to the window. Once she had seen her on her way, Hermione walked down stairs and spent a cheerful day with her parents. They ate a big dinner, laughed an awful lot and went to bed with their stomachs as full as they were allowed to be without becoming physically sick.
***
A week had passed when Hermione received a letter from the Weasley household. It was written in neat joint letters, which Hermione recognized to be Molly's. It read:
Dearest Hermione,
Ron, Ginny and Harry are all having such a wonderful time here at the Burrow, and we were just wondering if you would like to come over for the rest of your holidays? I know you only have just over a week before you must return to Hogwarts, but you are more then welcome here anytime.
Please let me know if you are coming so I can cook extra to accommodate for your growing appetite. Thanks, I hope you had a good Christmas, love Molly.
Hermione smiled brightly at the invitation. Ginny or Ron must have forgiven her for them to offer her to stay at the Burrow. Once she had informed her parents that she'd be going there the next day, Hermione wrote her reply, accepting the offer.
The next morning arrived, and the dilemma of how she would get to the Burrow proposed itself. She couldn't use the floo network: she didn't have any powder, she couldn't drive: she had no idea of its street map location, and she couldn't- oh. But she could apparate…using her amulet and visualizing the Burrow she would appear there easily. Problem solved.
After breakfast Hermione kissed her parent's goodbye and grabbed her trunk with one hand, then closed her other fist around her amulet. With closed eyes, Hermione stood in the middle of her room and pictured the Burrow. The many levels of the house looking as if they about to topple off, the shoes all lined up outside the front door, the garden and the small Quidditch shed out the back which held all their broomsticks and balls. She even put in a couple gnomes running about the garden.
Hermione soon felt the floating sensation, the lack of direction that accompanied travelling with the amulet. When she felt her feet hit the ground, Hermione opened her eyes to find herself staring at the lopsided figure of the Burrow. A smile appeared on her face as she approached the door and a feeling of relief at being forgiven and invited to stay with her friends washed over her.
Hermione lifted her hand and knocked on the door, but to her surprise her hand just traveled straight through the door with out making any noise what so ever. She jerked her arm backwards, but found it stubbornly stuck in place.
"Wha…?" Hermione was pushed from behind by a cheeky gnome and lifted her other hand in front of her so she wouldn't hit her head on the door. Instead, it slid straight through the wooden door too. She pursed her lips. She would have to have words with Fred and George after this one.
"Fred! George! Come out here now!" She yelled. Immediately she heard laughter start from somewhere in the house and two pairs of feet making their way towards the door. From inside, she felt someone grab each of her hands, then pull her through the door.
"What was that all about?" She demanded. "You stuck me in a door!"
The twins laughed at her horrified expression. "It was just a test." George told her.
"We want to see who is smart enough to realise that if your hand can get through the door, so can the rest of you. But you seemed too shocked about your hand sliding through a solid object to think about anything else."
Hermione realised with a flush how dense she had been. Of course if her hands could do it, so could the rest of her. She gave a little embarrassed laugh and hugged them both in greeting. "Just don't do it again, OK?"
She met Molly in the kitchen who gave her a quick hug and a kiss, then directed her upstairs to Ron's room before her chicken had the chance to burn.
Hermione made her way upstairs then knocked softly on Ron's door. Harry, who's smile quickly dissolved when he saw her, opened the door. "Uh…come in Hermione."
"Thanks." She entered the room uncertainly and noticed Ron giving Ginny a stern look. "Hi guys."
They looked up at her. Ron smiled but Ginny just stared coldly.
"I'll see you guys at dinner." Ginny said, and she swiftly left the room. Harry and Ron looked towards Hermione with an identical expression of curiosity. She faked a smile and placed her belongings at the bottom of Ron's bed.
"Hermione, Ron and I were just about to go outside to train. You're welcome to come if you want."
"Yeah. You can release the snitch." Ron put in. Hermione shook her head at them.
"No, it's alright. I think I'd better make a start to my Arithmancy homework."
They nodded and almost gratefully left the room. Hermione sighed and slumped down on the bed. So Ginny hadn't forgiven her, and Harry and Ron were still in the dark about what was going on. She pulled out her homework and within minutes had soon forgotten all about it.
***
A few polite, non-committal days of conversation later Hermione was beginning to get annoyed with Ginny. She always left the room in a huff whenever Hermione entered. She could tell that Ginny was dying to let Harry and Ron know about her little encounter with Draco, but for some reason was unwilling to break her word of secrecy.
"Quick Hermione, duck!" Ron called as Hermione flattened herself against the ground to avoid having her head knocked off by the oncoming bludger.
"Thanks Ron." She said as she stood up. "Great hit by the way, just at the wrong person."
He and Harry landed to take a break for a few moments. Ginny, who had been sitting watching the two boys train (Or rather, watching Harry train.) stood and began walking off to the house.
"Ginny!" Hermione called out to her retreating back. "Where are you going?"
Ginny stopped and turned. "Away from you."
"Why?" Hermione asked gamely.
"You know why."
"All of this, just because of him?"
"Who's him?" Ron jumped in. Harry and Ron still wanted to know who had an amulet like Hermione's. Harry looked between Ginny and Hermione, wondering whether they would answer Ron.
Ginny just glared at Hermione, who stared resolutely back. "Go on Ginny." Hermione said quietly. "Tell them who. I know you've been dying to for weeks. So just tell them."
Ginny turned to look at Harry and Ron. "I saw her alone with Malfoy. She was laughing, and they spoke together like normal people do. No yelling or curses. She couldn't deny what I had seen."
Harry's face had paled and Ron looked like he was about to strangle Ginny. "Don't lie to us Ginny!"
"It's true Ron. Every word, right Hermione?" Ginny asked.
Hermione looked between her two best friends' faces and nodded. "It's nothing though. We're not friends. It's just that we can manage to talk with out an overly large amount of violence."
All three friends were now staring at her in disbelief. "I'm telling the truth! Do you honestly think that I would befriend Draco Malfoy? Because if you do, you are stupider than I thought!"
Ron slowly picked up his broom and flew high into the air. Harry examined Hermione carefully. "Please Harry, you've got to believe me…" Harry glanced over at Ginny, who was watching him with narrowed eyes. He sighed, looking back at Hermione. He also lifted his broom and just as he was lifting off, Hermione could have sworn that he winked at her.
Ginny smiled at the small devastation she had caused. Hermione turned and walked quickly back to The Burrow. Once there, she got out her finished Transfiguration homework and added on another three feet of information on animal transfigurations to occupy her mind from the world falling in around her.
***
The last couple of days passed very slowly. Fred and George left to go back to their joke shop, Arthur worked all day, neither Ginny nor Ron talked to her at all, and Harry only did when the other two weren't around. That left the ghoul in the attic, or Molly to talk to. Molly could exhaust Hermione's mind very quickly with her fast motherly speech, so Hermione found herself redoing the majority of her homework.
Finally the time came to go back to Hogwarts. Molly escorted the four of them to the platform and left them to find themselves a compartment. Hermione didn't even bother sitting with Harry, Ron and Ginny. She found an empty room and after a while decided to go back to Hogwarts the quicker way; just for something to do.
Grabbing her bags, and enfolding her amulet in her fingers, Hermione imagined her dorm room. Vanishing seconds before the lunch lady opened her door; Hermione left the train and landed on her dorm floor with a small thud.
***
Nearly out of breath, Hermione reached the top of the stairs. She opened the door and felt the cold wind slap against her face as she walked out on to the Astronomy Tower. Leaning against the parapet, Hermione over looked the grounds and the Forbidden Forest with relief.
She was back at Hogwarts after the most uncomfortable and painful week of her life. Thinking she needed exclusion for a couple hours, Hermione had come to the tower. But the laughing of the students on the grounds below as they threw snow at each other brought an even more secluded spot to mind.
Now being able to use the amulet as quickly as apparating, Hermione found herself by the lake after only a few moments. The soft emerald glow radiated around her, and she found herself sitting down on a boulder by the lake to watch the trees shine.
An image of Ron suddenly appeared in her mind and she tried to force it out. Then Harry made an appearance also, which made Hermione's bottom lip tremble slightly. Hermione didn't want to think of the possibility that their friendship may never be again.
Then Ginny's glaring face pushed its way to the surface and Hermione let out a small sob. For the week that she had spent at the Weasley's, Hermione had forced herself not to cry. It would only give Ginny the satisfaction that she wanted. But now, in the middle of the Forbidden Forest, Hermione decided she was safe from prying eyes. The thought 'our friendship is over' brought the tears that she'd been fighting to her eyes, and Hermione finally allowed them to fall down her face.
She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head in her hands. Her body shook as all the pain of her dying friendship was brought to the surface. She was there for so long that when two strong arms wrapped around her and lifted her up, she was as frozen as an icicle.
She rested her head on a firm chest and slowly began to cease crying as she realised she was being taken to the cabin. The warmth coming from the fire calmed her slightly as did the comfy couch she was placed on. Hermione opened her eyes as Draco pulled away and noticed the Slytherin emblem on his cloak. Seeing it brought on a whole new wave of tears as she realised that she was finding comfort in a Slytherin.
Her blubbering brought a smile to Draco's lips as he peered down at her. "Stop it…" She tried to yell at him, but failed miserably. He chuckled at her. "Bot's so punny?" She asked thickly.
"You." He answered, sitting down next to her. "I mean, usually girls cry over me, not on me." He said, pointing to the wet patch in the middle of his cloak.
Hermione tried to picture girls crying over Draco, but couldn't think of any that would. She began to laugh at his attempt to boost his own ego. However, the basic functions of the human body, strangely enough, doesn't allow for laughing and crying to be completed at the same time.
Hermione choked slightly then began to cough and splutter. Once that subsided, she continued her soft crying.
Draco had pulled back from her in alarm, but leaned in again once he realised that she wasn't going to collapse. "What on earth is wrong with you?" He asked curiously.
"Nothing…" she said between sobs.
"Nothing my arse. Come on, what is it?"
Hermione was sure that Draco would laugh at her for being so stupid, but decided to tell him anyway. When she had fully recounted the dealings with Ginny and the guys, Draco was looking at her incredulously.
"What? They actually believe that we are sneaking around behind their backs? To be together?"
Hermione nodded with a sniffle. He laughed, not out of mirth, but at Ginny's, Harry's and Ron's stupidity. "Don't worry about them. I'll sort them out, OK?" He told her.
Hermione's eyes widened. She was upset for her friends not believing her, but she didn't want them bashed to a pulp because of it. "No…please don't." She begged.
"I won't hurt them. Just make them think a little, that's all." Draco said. Hermione nodded in resignation. Draco decided to change the conversation. "So, what did you find out from your parents?"
Hermione wiped her eyes and sat up straighter. "I talked to my dad. He didn't know much though. He said that this Prophecy is real, but we can choose to ignore it. That Derek was a powerful Seer, but he didn't say what magic Esmerelda was powerful in."
"Transfigurations. Of humans and animals." Draco said.
"Oh, thanks. That's about all he said, just to be careful. He wasn't any help, but he said that the diary would tell us all we need to know. What did your father say when you told him?" she asked hesitantly.
Draco looked at her. It was a look of someone who had been told something that altered his or her lives completely. "He said he knew about it. He said that ever since the Prophecy had been written, the Malfoy's had been close to the dark side. By us joining with Voldemort, it would mean he'll never suspect me of betraying him and plotting against him."
Hermione remained completely still. Draco was destined to betray Voldemort, therefore had been associated with him since he was a little boy so it would work without being suspected.
"He told me that both of us will have the same magical talents as our ancestors. So, I'm supposed to be a Seer and you will take after Esmerelda. Father said she was good at everything too, stupid little-"
"Sorry?"
"Nothing." Draco said innocently. "How about we check another page of the journal?"
"Good idea." Hermione said, taking in a shuddering breath caused by crying a few minutes earlier. He stood up to collect it from the bookcase, then sat next to her again. He opened it to a new page, scanned the first line then passed it over to Hermione.
"It's for you."
"Oh, thank you." She took it from him and began to read aloud.
"Dear Hermione,
Derek informed me of your name, and I think it's lovely. At this point you may be wondering what you have to do for the prophecy. I won't lie to you, you will be in a life threatening situation near the end. Just remember to keep a brave face and do everything that you have planned. I'm sure you'll be fine though dear.
I'm aware that you'll be a very intelligent young woman, so you will be able to cope with the task I am about to give you. Once you have completed it, you may think it has been a waste of time, but believe me that it will all be worth it in the end- you'll see.
My dearest Hermione, you must become an Animagus. It is something you must do illegally, NO ONE must know except Mr. Malfoy. Please remember that you can work on any animal you wish, but please listen to what your heart tells you. It may have already begun to send you messages as to what form it wants you to become. It is very important you get it right, as it will reflect you're true being.
You will find the method of how to become an Animagus written in this journal-, as I am one myself and can teach you the steps. They will only appear in the journal when you are ready to receive them.
Good luck, and Draco- you must help Hermione until your time comes. Be patient.
Esmerelda Granger."
Hermione finished and flipped the page, but found that it was blank. Obviously she had to choose what animal she was to become before it told her how to do it. She looked up at Draco and closed the journal. "There's nothing else written."
He nodded, took it from her and replaced it on the shelf. "That wasn't written in there when I checked a few minutes previous to finding you in the clearing. They must have some sort of charm on it so only the one who is meant to read it can."
Hermione agreed and wiped the streaks of tears off her face. "Thank you for what you did before."
"What?"
"Bringing me in here. I didn't realise how cold it really is out there."
"Oh, that's fine. You looked so…cold." He faltered. Hermione knew that it hadn't intended to say, but didn't ask him about it.
"I suppose I'd better get back to the castle now. It's almost time for dinner and I'm starving."
Draco nodded and rose to his feet. He extended his arm towards her, and she tentatively took it. He pulled her up then turned and stood in the middle of the floor between the door and the couch. Hermione took the space between the couch and bookcase. They both took hold of their amulets and a few moments later were on the Astronomy Tower again.
"I'll see you around. Keep an eye out for me in the corridors over the next couple of days, because when I see you around those friends of yours, I'll make sure I get them back for you. The stupid bastards." Draco said quietly.
"Um, Ok. Have a good weekend then." Hermione replied lamely. Draco raised his eyebrows, then left her alone on the tower. She soon after followed suit and made her way to the Great Hall wondering what Draco had in mind for Harry, Ron and Ginny.
She also wondered why Draco Malfoy was doing something nice for her.
***
A/N- I like this chapter, and I have some little surprises in store for chapter 11! I'm on holidays now, so I will hopefully get it written shortly. Thanks to all my reviewers, I love you all, and I hope that you're able to ignore anything you read in OOTP, and continue with this.